HealthInDaily South Australia

‘Covid with feathers’: Conspiracy theories fly over flu outbreak

South Australia's H5 bird flu outbreak is being swamped by conspiracy theories on social media, with an Adelaide University epidemiologist warning it echoes the Covid misinformation wave.

The Wiggles have traded 'Hot Potato' for Spanakopita in a new program with an SA group to help children learn Greek through music.

The Long Sip
What happened

Social media pages of SA news and government organisations have been flooded with conspiracy theories and laughing reactions following the H5 bird flu wildlife outbreak.

The detail

There are 303 confirmed bird flu cases in SA, with more than 11,000 reports of dead and sick wildlife to the hotline since June, including deaths to seals, penguins and pelicans.

What it means

Adelaide University epidemiologist Adrian Esterman says the misinformation mirrors the Covid pandemic and urges authorities to focus on clear, evidence-based public messaging.

Full story at InDaily South Australia

What readers are saying

Bazzaroo
Government departments always struggle with clear messaging when an environmental crisis hits. When public updates get drowned out by online noise and laughing emojis, it makes it much harder for agencies to run proper surveillance and coordinate a real response.
FrazzledMel
It is honestly terrifying reading about the sheer scale of it, with over 11,000 reports of dead and sick wildlife coming through since June alone. At least the Environment Minister pointed out that those laughing reactions on social media are not actually how most people feel. 🦭
keithk
How long has that hotline actually been running, and does it take reports for marine animals as well as birds?

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